]]>Tesla Motors’ upcoming entry-level electric sedan may be able to drive up to 250 miles on a single charge.

The Tesla Model 3 will have a driving range of “at least 250 miles,” The Times-Picayune reported CEO Elon Musk and co-founder J.B. Straubel as saying. The pair commented on the Model 3 while addressing utility executives earlier this week at the annual convention for the Edison Electric Institute.

During the speech, Musk and Straubel reiterated that the Model 3 will be priced around $35,000 with deliveries set for 2017.

Though little is known on the technical specifications of the Model 3, estimates for the sedan’s range had been closer to 200 miles. If the Model 3 achieves a 250-mile rating, it will rank just above the 2015 Model S 70D, which is rated at 240 miles. And the Model 3 will be able to deliver its 200+ mile range for about $23,000 less than the Model S.

It’s important to keep in mind that an EPA rating for electric range doesn’t directly transfer to a vehicle’s “real world” abilities, as Musk himself as noted.

“Two hundred miles is minimum threshold for an electric car. We need 200-plus miles in real world. Not 200 miles in ‘AC off, driving on flat road’ mode,” said Musk during a Q&A session following Tesla’s 6.2 software update.

]]>http://www.hybridcars.com/musk-says-tesla-model-3-will-have-250-miles-or-more-range/feed/0Kia Soul EV Beats 132 Miles Rangehttp://www.hybridcars.com/kia-soul-ev-beats-132-miles-range/
http://www.hybridcars.com/kia-soul-ev-beats-132-miles-range/#commentsThu, 08 Jan 2015 05:47:44 +0000http://www.hybridcars.com/?p=237282Can the Soul EV really attain its official UK homologated range of 132 miles? Next Green Car gave it a try. To prove the homologated range of 132 miles of the Soul EV, Kia Motors UK set up a real-world range test, neutrally conducted by external eco and green car experts, Next Green Car. For […]

]]>Can the Soul EV really attain its official UK homologated range of 132 miles? Next Green Car gave it a try.

To prove the homologated range of 132 miles of the Soul EV, Kia Motors UK set up a real-world range test, neutrally conducted by external eco and green car experts, Next Green Car.

For reference, in the U.S., the Soul EV has an EPA-estimated driving range of 93 miles and MPGe of 92 miles on the highway and 120 miles in the city (105 miles combined).

Navigating the highs and lows of Somerset and Wiltshire’s cities, towns, villages and countryside, a specially designed route was planned to ensure all types of road and traffic environments were included. Bristol’s bumper to bumper traffic, huge descents and ascents of sweeping countryside road network, busy A and B roads, plus the high speed demands of the M4 were all part of the route to ensure real world accuracy, and to replicate many consumers’ daily journeys, stated Kia.

Bringing further authenticity to the test, Kia said the weather was not favorable. With an average temperature of 8 degrees centigrade (46.4 degrees Fahrenheit) throughout the day, coupled with both light and heavy rain, it dampened performance slightly, triggered heavier traffic and used more battery power for on board heating, windshield wipers and headlights. In addition to these factors, Kia said the driver was using satellite navigation, heated seats and radio, as with every day driving.

Result: the full range achieved on this test was 125.3 miles, with a conservative estimate of a further nine miles shown on the display; for a total range potential of 134.9 miles.

Kia added a diagnostics report run on the vehicle soon after the test showed the battery still had 13 percent battery remaining, which equates to 15 miles when calculated against the homologated range of 132, meaning a realistic potential range of 140.3.

The Korean company added it believes there were more miles to be had considering the Soul EV’s regenerative braking system, teamed with available driver controlled functions to extend range – limited use of on-board electronics, air conditioning, driving frugally etc.

]]>http://www.hybridcars.com/kia-soul-ev-beats-132-miles-range/feed/0Volt Owners Speak Up On Next-Gen Improvementshttp://www.hybridcars.com/volt-owners-speak-up-on-next-gen-improvements/
http://www.hybridcars.com/volt-owners-speak-up-on-next-gen-improvements/#commentsMon, 23 Jun 2014 12:39:41 +0000http://www.hybridcars.com/?p=161137If you could have your wish, what would you like to see General Motors do to make the next Chevrolet Volt better? According to the automaker which recently polled its owners, the top requests are a lower price, a fifth seat space in back, and longer all-electric range. GM has begun shipping 2015 Volts but […]

]]>If you could have your wish, what would you like to see General Motors do to make the next Chevrolet Volt better?

According to the automaker which recently polled its owners, the top requests are a lower price, a fifth seat space in back, and longer all-electric range.

GM has begun shipping 2015 Volts but the 2016 is the one eyes are on for potential changes. To date, GM is characteristically playing its hand close to its chest as to what these changes may be.

Various reports have gone out indicating a stylistic makeover and not much more — or possibly more electric range, possibly a 1.0-liter three-cylinder turbo range extender to replace the 1.4-liter four, and more.

The Volt’s liquid-cooled battery appears to be faring well durability wise, and its standard 38 miles EPA-rated EV range is OK for a lot of people, but there have been many who’ve voiced desire for more.

]]>http://www.hybridcars.com/volt-owners-speak-up-on-next-gen-improvements/feed/0Survey: Over 48 Million US Households Could Use A Plug-In Electrified Carhttp://www.hybridcars.com/survey-over-48-million-us-households-could-use-a-plug-in-electrified-car/
http://www.hybridcars.com/survey-over-48-million-us-households-could-use-a-plug-in-electrified-car/#commentsMon, 16 Dec 2013 05:03:07 +0000http://www.hybridcars.com/?p=103609Presently the number of U.S. households with plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) or battery electric vehicles (BEVs) is less than 200,000, but a nationwide survey has found there is enormous room for growth with today’s electrified cars for today’s daily driving needs. The survey was conducted by Consumers Union and the Union of Concerned Scientists and found […]

]]>Presently the number of U.S. households with plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) or battery electric vehicles (BEVs) is less than 200,000, but a nationwide survey has found there is enormous room for growth with today’s electrified cars for today’s daily driving needs.

The survey was conducted by Consumers Union and the Union of Concerned Scientists and found 42 percent of U.S. households could make daily use of a PHEV, including cars like the Chevy Volt, Ford Fusion Energi (pictured), and the like.

The survey also found that 69 percent of U.S. households have weekday driving habits within the range of nearly all BEVs on the market today. It also found that 65 percent of Americans think electric vehicles are an “essential part of our nation’s transportation future for reducing oil use and global warming pollution.”

To qualify as a PHEV-capable household, respondents had to meet all three of the following requirements:

• Access to parking and an outlet, as PHEVs require charging access – 56 percent of U.S. households have access to charging.
• Five or fewer occupants (including driver), as most of today’s PHEV models are 4 or 5 person passenger cars. A total of 95 percent of U.S. households report 5 or fewer occupants in their cars.
• No hauling or towing needs, as today’s PHEVs aren’t suitable for towing – 79 percent of U.S. drivers don’t need to tow.

To utilize a BEV, respondents had to meet three additional requirements:

• Access to parking and an outlet specifically at home.
• Drive a maximum of 60 or fewer miles on weekdays. Most of today’s BEVs have driving ranges between 60 and 90 miles. A total of 69 percent of U.S. drivers have weekday range requirements safely within this range.
• Own more than one vehicle or infrequently take long trips. A second vehicle enables longer driving ranges during vacations and trips. 65 percent of U.S. households have more than one vehicle.